Pacers guard Victor Oladipo will take part in the NBA’s second-ever game in Africa, set for Saturday, August 5 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The game will be played in support of UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and SOS Children’s Villages South Africa (SOSCVSA).
NBA players have been divided into two teams: Team Africa and Team World.
Oladipo — whose mother, Joan, is from Nigeria — will play on Team Africa. His father, Chris, was born in Blama, Sierra Leone.
This will be Oladipo’s first game as a representative of the Indiana Pacers. He was acquired by the Pacers, along with Domantas Sabonis, in a deal that sent Paul George to Oklahoma City late last month.
“Basketball is witnessing explosive growth in Africa,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “Our return to Johannesburg this summer is part of the league’s continued commitment to bring the authentic NBA experience to fans around the world. I would like to thank the NBPA for their participation and for being terrific partners on this game and surrounding events.”
The NBA’s first game in Afria was two years ago in Johannesburg, and Pacers broadcasters Chris Denari and Quinn Buckner called the game for the World Feed — seen in more than 250 countries. And those two will make the weeklong trip once again and have the call of the game.
There have been more than 70 current or former NBA players from Africa or with ties to the continent. Back in 2014, Oladipo was a member of the USA Men’s Select Team.
“I’ve heard so many great things from players around the league who traveled to South Africa in 2015 for the first NBA Africa Game and Basketball without Borders,” said Portland rising star CJ McCollum. “I can’t wait to suit up for Team World in Johannesburg this summer.”
Team Africa:
*Luol Deng (Los Angeles Lakers; South Sudan)
*Thabo Sefolosha (Utah Jazz; Switzerland; parent from South Africa)
Bismack Biyombo (Orlando Magic; Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Clint Capela (Houston Rockets; Switzerland; parents from Angola and Congo)
Gorgui Dieng (Minnesota Timberwolves; Senegal; BWB Africa 2009)
Serge Ibaka (Toronto Raptors; Congo)
Luc Mbah a Moute (most recently with the LA Clippers; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2003)
Salah Mejri (Dallas Mavericks; Tunisia)
Emmanuel Mudiay (Denver Nuggets; Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Victor Oladipo (Indiana Pacers; U.S.; parent from Nigeria)
Dennis Schroder (Hawks; Germany; parent from The Gambia)
Team World:
*Dirk Nowitzki (Mavericks; Germany)
*Kemba Walker (Charlotte Hornets; U.S.)
Leandro Barbosa (Phoenix Suns; Brazil)
Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics; U.S.)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Brooklyn Nets; U.S.)
DeMarcus Cousins (New Orleans Pelicans; U.S.)
Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons; U.S.)
Courtney Lee (New York Knicks; U.S.)
Kyle Lowry (Raptors; U.S.)
CJ McCollum (Portland Trail Blazers; U.S.)
Kristaps Porzingis (Knicks; Latvia)
*Captain
Coaches and staff
Coaches: Alvin Gentry (Pelicans), Michael Malone (Nuggets) and Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat), assistant coaches David Adelman (Magic), Pat Delany (Hornets), BJ Johnson (Rockets), Sidney Lowe (Washington Wizards), Jamahl Mosley (Mavericks), Patrick Mutombo (Raptors) and Lloyd Pierce (76ers).
Executives: Ex-Heat assistant GM Adam Simon, Raptors President Masai Ujiri (Nigeria).
Trainers: Keith Jones (Rockets) and Ed Lacerte (Celtics).
Officials: James Capers and Zach Zarba.
Former Purdue standout Brian Cardinal will be part of the NBA contingent in attendance, along with Commissioner Adam Silver, and more.